Hairpin



Nov. 28, 1 G. A. L. LINDEN 2,531,854

HAIRPIN Filed June 18, 1946 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED S TAT ES EATENT F F 1 CE HAIRPIN Gad A. Lambert Linden, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application June 18, 1946, Serial No. 671,539

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to hair pins and more particularly to thattype of hair pin which has become, known as a bobby pin.

The bobby pins hitherto known have possessed a number of disadvantagesamong which are a hair clamping action which is too feeble, or, if theclamping action is sufliciently strong, it has been extremelyinconvenient and difficult to open the pin for insertion in the hair.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved form ofresilient clamping bobby pin which is strong in its clamping action andis formed to provide means by which it may be quickly and readily openedfor insertion or removal.

In general the novel bobby pin to be described in detail comprises acontinuous resilient strip formed to provide a flared end for receivingthe hair, a curved bend or loop for imposing adequate clamping force totwo leg portions, and finger engageable extensions continuously engagingand cooperating With the curved bend or loop to provide leverage foreasy opening. The clamping legs may be formed with opposed corrugationsfor the purpose of better retaining the hair.

A more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of ahair pin having features described which may be readily formed from acontinuous length of resilient metal or other suitable material bymachinery production methods.

These and other features of improvement will be more clearly understoodand appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention and several modi fications thereof, whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of thehair pin being held in open position by a persons hand;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the hair pin shown in Fig. 1 in the closedposition;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the hair pin shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 shows in side elevation a modified form of hair pin in openposition.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 which show the preferred embodiment ofthis invention, it will be observed that the hair pin Ill which isformed of a relatively narrow, continuous strip of resilient material,preferably spring steel, comprises a pair of slender normally engagedclamping legs, designated generally as I2 and I4, having rounded endsI6, I6 which permit ready insertion in the hair and subsequent clampingbetween closely spread, opposed inner lengths I8 I8 which are formedadjacent. the rounded ends with opposed corrugations 20, 20 which willeven more p it vely grip sma l. b ndle of hair wh n the pin. shown inFig. r lea ed o the normally lo position of F 2..

n er le hs 8 [8' f. th elon ated; les of the hairpin IIl terminate attheir head ends in a relatively small curved bend or loop 22 which is soformed as to urge the legs firmly and resiliently toward each other atall times. As illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2, the approximately circularloop 22 is considerably larger in diameter than the maximum spacebetween the inner leg strips I8, l8 so that the sliding fulcrum contactbetween the outer sides of said loop and the free end portions of theouter leg lengths 24, 24 will be elemental and a large amount of clearspace will be provided for easy opening action. The continuous length ofmaterial forming the hair pin I0 is bent outwardly and toward the headportion of the hair pin to provide a straight pair of outer lengths 24,24, that are only a minor proportion of the length of the clamping legportions and which in addition to affording a smooth surface and slidingengagement of the hair with the outside edges of the hair pin, areextended or continued a short distance so as to contact opposite sidesof the loop 22 and form spaced finger tabs 26. The outer lengths 24, 24extend substantially parallel to the inner lengths I8, I8. The functionof the tabs or grips 26 can be best appreciated from a consideration ofFig. 1 in which they have been moved together about the engaged parts ofloop 22 as fulcrums to lift open the two leg portions I2 and I4 againstthe strong contra-action of the loop 22 and the inner lengths ofmaterial I8, I8 connected therewith.

As the modified hair pin shown in Fig. 4. is generally similar to thepreferred embodiment which has been described it will be sufficient tonote only the principal variations. This modified hair pin IIII includesan opposed pair of identical leg portions I24, I24 and specially formedhead end tabs or grips I25 which are curved toward each other and ofsuch a length to overlap as sliding face engaging surfaces. Thisoverlapping is at a maximum when the leg portions I24, I24 are in theopen position illustrated and continuous to a much less degree when theyassume a closed position. This manner of providing an expansible loopwith the tab or grip portions I26 offers some advantages in that thereis less likelihood of the adjacent enclamped hair becoming entangled andresisting removal of the hair pin.

While for most purposes it is preferable to make the hair pin of thisinvention from spring steel strip stock which is uniform in both widthand thickness, it is also possible to form the hair pin from othermaterials having the desired properties of durability, resiliency andformability.

In the principal preferred embodiment and the modification which hasbeen shown, it is to be observed that the hair pin in each instance hasno greater overall thickness than that of the uniform width materialfrom which it is formed, that the spring loop also has the full widthand strength of this material, and that the finger grips or tabs, whichcontinuously engage the loop, are arranged to provide maximum leverage.

While it is contemplated that the bobby pin of this invention will findparticular utility in hair dressing establishments, its neat, compactand efficient attributes will also insure wide acceptance by individualusers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as novel and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A hair pin formed from a continuous, uniform strip of spring metal toprovide an opposed pair of elongated, parallel leg portions havinghairgripping inner lengths joined at adjacent ends by Number REFERENCESCITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smith Aug. 27, 1901 Brinkerhoif ,July23, 1867 Parker Apr. 18, 1916 Walker Oct. 4, 1921 Natkiel Nov. 8, 1921Hoffman et a1 Feb. 24, 1925 Peck July 12, 1932 V

